The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, the state capital, has convicted and sentenced an impersonator, Endurance Agbi, and 10 other internet fraudsters to various jail terms.
The convicted internet fraudsters are Sylvester Osatofoh Ebhoaiye, Edafe Promise, Christian Skinn, Ariomoghwa Lucky, Ogbebor Pricewill, Irikefe Prosper, Odiri Ejiro, Eyengho Richard, Apoi Ufouma, and Enabor Peter Odianosen.
While Odianosen was jailed on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, others were sent to prison on Tuesday.
They were arraigned separately on one-count charge of personation and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charge against Agbi read: “That you Endurance Agbi sometime between 21st December 2020 and 8th January 2021 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud represented yourself to be DR ODIDI, a herbal medical practitioner and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976.”
The charge against Ebhoaiye read: “ that you Sylvester Osatofoh Ebhoaiye sometime between November 2022 to 9th July 2023 in Benin City did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Jones Walker, a verified and legitimate Bitcoin trader and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 384 of the criminal Code Law of Edo state.”
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Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting prosecution counsels to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, the counsel for the defendants prayed the court to temper justice with mercy “as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions”.
The presiding judge, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, convicted and sentenced Agbi to 12 months imprisonment with a fine option of N100,000.
Ebhoaiye, Skinn, Lucky, Richard, and Ufouma were sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of N300,000 fine.
The duo of Princewill and Ejiro bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 each, while Promise and Prosper bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 each. Odianosen also bagged three years imprisonment with a fine option of N500,000.
The judge ordered the forfeiture of two Toyota Venza, one Mercedes Benz GLK, one Lexus NX200, Honda Accord 2013 model, mobile phones, and balances in the convicts’ bank accounts, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Ikponmwonba also ordered that the sum of $525 recovered in cash from Agbi during investigations, be paid to the Federal Government’s account through the EFCC for onward delivery to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
The judge ordered that the bank accounts of the convicts be permanently closed.
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